Jazz in a fire museum? Opera in a grain warehouse? San Jose groups get creative with offbeat event venues

Nonprofits and arts groups are thinking outside the hotel ballroom and hosting fundraisers at museums, parks and other unusual spots.

Last weekend, jazz fans gathered amid vintage fire equipment and vehicles for San Jose Jazz’s Summer Fest Kickoff fundraiser at the San Jose Fire Museum downtown. The next night, hundreds of Opera San Jose supporters had a magical evening in a former grain warehouse in midtown, and the Humane Society Silicon Valley held its dog-friendly Fur Ball at PayPal Park.

It’s a growing trend in Silicon Valley, as nonprofits and arts groups are making unusual and interesting venues part of the draw for fundraisers and celebrations.

And while I have been to some spectacular and memorable events in hotel ballrooms, it’s refreshing to see these groups branching out beyond the usual suspects.

Veggielution’s annual fEast fundraiser has been held both at its community farm at Emma Prusch Farm Park and on the street in the SoFA District. The San Jose Museum of Art’s September gala takes place outside the museum in the Circle of Palms, Cancer CAREpoint has moved its annual Garden Party to various beautiful locales around the valley, and when the San Jose Earthquakes launched their 50th anniversary season, the team did it at San Pedro Square.

What really struck me about both the San Jose Jazz and Opera San Jose events was that there were lots of guests who said they’d never been to the San Jose Fire Museum or the James Grain Warehouse, the gorgeously rustic space where Asiel Design hosted the night markets last summer.

We’ve got a bevy of interesting spaces in the valley, from parks and arenas to museums and even sprawling private residences. Having these offbeat spots in the mix keeps things interesting, and we’ve got a reputation for liking that around here.

SPARTAN PRIDE: San Jose State’s commencement ceremonies will be held this week, and, along with 7,600 students who will receive their degrees, two Spartan alums will receive honorary doctorates.

Ken Noel — who received bachelor’s and master’s degrees in sociology from San Jose State in the 1960s and a doctorate from UC Berkeley in political science in 1980 — will receive an honorary doctorate of humane letters from the College of Social Sciences. Noel co-founded the United Black Students for Action at San Jose State, was one of the founding members of the Olympic Committee for Human Rights and also worked with the College Commitment Program, which helped recruit students who might not otherwise have a path to a university education.

And Rod Diridon Sr. will receive an honorary doctorate of letters from the College of Business. Diridon — a former Santa Clara County supervisor and executive director emeritus of the Mineta Transportation Institute — received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business during the early 1960s. He continues to be a voice in transportation and climate issues around the Bay Area and statewide, too.

GOOD TIMES IN GILROY: The hard rock supergroup Kings of Chaos — featuring former members of Guns N’ Roses and bands including Cheap Trick and Megadeth — are leading a four-band lineup at the Day on the Ridge in Gilroy on May 26. This annual benefit event at a private residence on Eagle Ridge, which makes it like a cross between a backyard barbecue and the VIP stage at Coachella, and raised more than $440,000 for St. Joseph’s Family Center, a food pantry in Gilroy.

And if you’ve been wondering what the Gilroy Garlic Festival Association’s been up to without a festival, they’ve been planning a sold-out golf tournament and a garlic pasta party for this summer. But they’re also bringing back Gourmet Alley for this event, so if you’ve been craving the stinking rose, you might want to check it out. Tickets are $150 and are available at dayontheridge.com.

FROM TEARS TO CHEERS: You’ve got to be ready for a whole range of emotions — and events — if you work at the majestic California Theatre in downtown San Jose. Last weekend, at least one usher was moved to tears, as were many people in the audience, by Symphony San Jose’s powerful “Passionate Puccini” concert, which featured vocal soloists Jenny Schuler, Gary Simpson and Ben Gulley, along with the Symphony San Jose Chorale.

Then, this past Thursday, there was more emotion coupled with cheers from 49ers fans at the Dwight Clark Legacy Series. About 20 former 49ers — including Ronnie Lott, Harris Barton, Jesse Sapolu, Keena Turner and Eric Wright — filled the stage to extended applause. And that was even before linebacker Dre Greenlaw was presented with the Dwight Clark Award, and a quartet of 49ers QBs —  Brock Purdy, Steve Young, Alex Smith and Jeff Garcia — sat down for an onstage conversation with NBC Sports’ Matt Maiocco.

It was all for a pair of good causes: honoring the legacy of Clark, the legendary 49ers receiver who died in 2018, and raising money for the Golden Heart Fund, which helps out former 49ers in need.

“There’s not a guy up here that hasn’t given to this organization, and all of you in the audience are giving, too,” Barton said of the Golden Heart Fund. “Other teams have the same issues, but we are the only team in the league that does this. The Bay Area is head and shoulders above what’s out there.”